Studies on Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Mesquite, Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. in Sudan Gezira

摘要

Mesquite, Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC, was introduced in many semi-arid areas of Sudan to combat desertification and provide fuel wood and fodder. However, it spread rapidly into fertile, productive areas, and irrigation and drainage channels, particularly in some of the major irrigated schemes. Nursery experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan, to investigate water uptake by seeds, germination-rate, sowing depth, acid scarification and animal feeding of intact pods on germination and seedling emergence. Pods were collected from town, or the National Tree Seed Center laboratory. Seeds were used immediately after extraction. Petri-dishes with filter paper or plastic pots were used. Treatments were arranged in CRB design, with 4-6 replicates. Data were subjected to ANOVA and DMRT. The results revealed that the seeds have high ability to absorb water and exhibited high rate of germination, especially in the second wk after sowing (96%). Seeds placed on the soil surface failed to germinate, while those buried at depths of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 cm displayed 100, 75, 60 and 40% germination, respectively. Seedling emergence was delayed by deep burial and amounted to 100 and 50% at depth of 2.5 and 5cm, respectively. Seeds germinated and seedlings have emerged at high rates (100%), when treated with sulfuric acid (60%v/v) for 5 min. they germinated and seedlings emerged normally, when extracted from sheep droppings.